[NOTE:Thank u evryone for all da beautiful comments and lyks!So here I am wid another update!Hope u lyk it!đ]
Chapter-29,page-18:https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/100808205
CHAPTER-30.
Astha woke up the next morning,realising she was already running late..
Hurriedly she got ready and even skipped her breakfast,apologizing to an anxious Kalindi as she ran to the door..
Kalindi,stood just outside the door staring at the retreating back of her unpredictable daughter,as she hailed a taxi and got into it..
She sighed out in exasperation,clearly frustrated of not being able to talk to her..
Kalindi finally re entered the house,closing the front door..
Her mother-in-law walked upto her..
"What happened Kalindi?You could not talk to her?"
Making a sad face Kalindi shook her head in agreement..
"How can I say yes to the proposal without talking to her?Anjali ji was so nice,and the proposal is also so good..It would make me so happy to see Astha settled and happy for life,after so much trauma in her life..Maybe then she will accept that her baba-.."Kalindi was interrupted by her mother-in-law.
"Kalindi!Don't worry!Astha will be back in the evening,you can talk to her then..And I'm sure Anjali ji will undertand if you tell her you could not talk to Astha yet..After all it's a marriage,not a gae we are talking about..We should take every step and decision very carefully..After all this is our daughter's marriage.."
Kalindi nodded in agreement,and giving her mother-in-law a soft smile she went on with her work..
Astha was entering the office when she noticed people staring at her,and suddenly stop talking..
It was getting really uncomfortable,especially when she did not know the reason behind all of this.
And then she forgot all about it,when she heard the most shocking news..
She was on her way to Shlok's cabin with some important files,and passing the room with coffee machine,when she overheard two female employees talking.They had not seen her,so went on talking.
"Did you hear the news..?!"
"Which one ?Are you talking about Shlok sir?!"
"Oooh yes!Isn't it a pity that such a handsome hunk like him is getting married so soon?!I so used to drool over him,secretly ofcourse!"The girl giggled out,while the other joined her too..
"Uff yaar who doesn't drool over that 6 feet plus male God..Oh my God look I'm having goosebumps even talking about him..!"They giggled some more,and Astha walked away her face paper white with shock,as an ll new feeling engulfed her heart..
Shlok was getting married?!Her heart gave a tight squeeze as an odd sensation passed though her body..
She stopped to get back her breathing,and leaned back her head on the wall..
The news spinning her head and senses..Astha tried to calm herself knowing very well that it should not really matter to her,since after all she loathed Shlok..
Quickly composing herself she walked towards Shlok's cabin on shaky feet..
But do you honestly hate him Astha?A small wise taunted at her from inside her mind,as she walked towards his cabin..
Shlok looked up at Asha for the fifth time during the meeting,and still she avoided his eyes..
What is wrong with her today?!Is she upset about the newspaper article?He mused thoughtfully studying her face,as she went avoiding looking at him..
The whole day she had been doing the same thing..
Shlok had only noticed her giving him angry glares when she thought he was not noticing her..
She was just getting out of the cabin,when Shlok called her..Deciding it was time he talked with her openly about the article..
"Astha?I have to talk to you about something.."
Just then he remembered his father's ultimatum about the marriage..
"Ummm..Actually about a number of things.."He had not finished the sentence when he noticed that despite his calling her,she had left..!
Shlok was really irritated this time..
He strode out of his office,and looked for her..
She had already left for the day was the only response he got from the office peon..
Astha tomorrow you can't escape from me that easily..!He thought to himself angrily.His eyes glittering with barely held back anger.
Astha had walked into the house when her mother said she wanted to talk to her about something..
Astha being in a furious mood,was not really all that eager to talk,but still to keep her mother's heart,she sat down with her in the drawing room.
"Look beta..I'm not going to beat around the bushes with you..But you have grown old now..And it's time we start thinking about your marriage.."
MARRIAGE..That one word instantly got her eyes glittering with fury..
Bur Kalindi went on talking ..
Finally Astha left a stunned and happy Kalindi and Ajju sitting in the drawing room,as she walked to her bedroom with a victorious smile..
Mr. Shlok Agnihotri!Now I'm getting married too!I don't care who the groom is,as long as I do get married!And after all my Ayi won't chose a bad man for me!She thought to herself happily,as she got freshened up..
At the Agnihotri mansion,Shlok nearly choked on his dinner,as a beaming Anjali walked into the dining area..
"Sahib!I've a good news!Astha agreed to get married to Shlok.."
Meanwhile at Astha's house..
A frowning Ajju looked at Kalindi,who still had the phone held in her hand.
"Kalindi,don't you think we should tell Astha,at least the name of her to be groom..?"
"But AyiI wanted to..!She stopped me!I think she already knows it's him!Didn't you see how happy she was looking?"Kalindi gave a teary smile at her mother-in-law who smiled back in response..
Astha turned over one more time in her bed..
Shlok Agnihotri..You and I are now equal..Now you can get married to whoever you want..!It doesn't matter to me who I get married to,as long as it's not you!And anyways I loathe you!She thought to herself,as jealousy gnawed at her inside..
She was just closing her eyes,when the image f a smiling Shlok Agnihotri flashed in front of her eyes..He walked close to her,his lips almost touching hers..
"Liar.."He whispered huskily before melting into thin air..
"Astha..?Wake up Astha!"An all familiar husky voice whispered near her face..
Astha slowly opened sleepy eyes to stare at the handsome face of Shlok Agnihotri..
She pouted her lips,at seeing him..
"What is this?You have started coming out of my dream and disturbing me too?Not done!"She pouted again..
"Astha!This isn't a dream I'm really here!Look at me!"He whispered urgently,his face close t o hers..
Astha smiled softly and looked at him with mesmerized eyes..
"I always looove looking at you!"She said softly,as he hissed out a long staggering breath at her words..
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